Guest Post by Randy Lindsay — @randsay @anwaconf16

Exciting, exciting! The conference is less than three weeks away! Have you registered yet? The door prizes are being collected, and the book review contest is being put together. Have you seen the awesome donations? Be sure to stop by. 

This week we are being treated with a guest post by the amazing Randy Lindsay. Check out his spotlight and his website. Let him know what you think, and Enjoy!

STRUCTURED EXPERT OR FREEFALLING ADVENTURER?

For me the journey through the enchanted land of Authordom has been an exciting adventure. At each stage, I have savored the moment that I worked so long to reach. My first contract offer from a publisher. My first book signing. My first peek at the cover for my newest book. And now the opportunity to write a guest post for the ANWA blog. 

Each of these mileposts on the journey has multiple component parts that are in their own way special and exciting. Take the guest post opportunity, for instance. The invitation itself is a stop and enjoy it moment that leaves you with an important choice to make. How do I react to the invitation?

Option 1: Arch an eyebrow in a sophisticated manner and say, “It’s about time someone recognized me for my complete and utter writing brilliance.” Yeah, probably not the best approach. 

Option 2: Call my author friends and ask, “I was invited to write a guest blog for ANWA, were you?” And then when they say they weren’t, laugh and hang-up. My friends might think it was funny, but why take the chance?

Option 3: Read the e-mail a second time in order to savor the moment and then write a post where you pretend you weren’t seriously considering the first two options. 

Alright, enough goofing around. What I really wanted to address was a specific part of the offer to write a guest blog—the topic. Is it better to be given a topic to write about or to have it totally open for the author to choose?

Some of you may be asking yourselves, “Who wonders about stuff like that?” Apparently, I do. It’s part of what makes me The StoryMan. If that happens scares you, then join the club. 

I’m The StoryMan because literally everything is a story idea to me. Television commercials, political debates, even conversations I overhear at the grocery store all have the potential to bloom into a story. So then why do I prefer to have a topic assigned to me? Why do I feel more comfortable with a predetermined starting point?

I don’t know. I’m an author Jim, not a psychiatrist. 

What about you? Do you prefer author’s choice or assigned topic?

Spotlight on Matt Peterson — #anwaconf16

We're getting down to the wire here. Just 23 short days till conference time! Be sure to take a look at the door prizes and contest. This week we will be spotlighting Matt Peterson. He will be teaching COPYWRITING: THE PERFECT "DAY JOB" FOR WRITERS. Check out both his websites here and here. Enjoy!

What is the first childhood memory that comes to mind? (That you’re willing to share of course)

I vividly remember living on a lake in Virginia when I was 4 years old. Most of my memories from that time period center around that backyard. I remember always getting my kite stuck in the same tree, fervently trying to dig to China with my little gardening kit, and watching my pet duck Quacky lose a battle with the neighbor's dog. All three of those memories are decidedly "failures," but I guess I never saw it that way. Life is good when you're surrounded by people you love and fresh cut green grass.

What made you decide to become a writer?

I always loved writing, but usually I only wrote papers for school. I always tried to add some personality and a unique voice into those papers, to varying levels of success. After majoring in English Literature, I decided to start my own copywriting business which entailed writing marketing pieces for businesses. Again, to varying levels of success (some people don't like personality, apparently).

When I began working at a software company as a copywriter, a coworker challenged me to write fiction. I discovered that I was able to put that personality and voice to work however I wanted, and I loved it! That's when I really started writing and thinking about getting published.

What's your favorite thing to write?

I love to write realistic fiction, especially middle grade and young adult. I feel like I can relate to a lot of what they go through, and those memories are very bright in my mind. I love sports, adventure, and relationships...so those are the things that come out in my writing.

What method do you use to write?

I'm not the most efficient writer, because I overthink everything. I'm a perfectionist and have a hard time moving on in the writing process. So I usually just sludge through chapter by chapter until I'm done. I'm sure this is the reason I don't have more finished works. I'm open to suggestions!

What was the book first and latest book you've read?

The first book I remember LOVING was Henry and the Clubhouse by Beverly Clearly. I remember buying it with my own money at Sears, and I still have it today. The most recent book I read was Into Thin Air by John Krakauer. I am fascinated with Everest and any quest that involves nature. 

What is something you wish you would have known going into the writing world?

I really wish I would have known about all the groups (like ANWA) that are out there to support writers. I had a great group of friends that encouraged me and read my manuscript, but it would have been nice to hear stories of success and failure from others who have been there. It's a lonely world, and only after I was published did I discover all the fun groups out there.

If you could travel back in time to when you began your writing career, what would be the advice you would give yourself?

I would tell myself: "you are better than you think!" I spent so much time doubting myself and hiding my creativity that I probably lost a lot of time and momentum. Funny thing is, I still have those same thoughts. So I guess I need to remind myself again and again. Good Amazon reviews help, though. :)

What would you tell any writer at any stage in their writing?

Write stories that you love to tell. I see a lot of authors try to write something that simply fits a perceived "market," and it's not really something they enjoy (or maybe aren't even good at). You can tell when you read a story if the author is really into it. And if you write things that make you happy, everything else will fall into place. 

Spotlight on Tamara Passey — @tamarapassey #anwaconf16

I can't believe how quickly conference time is approaching! Have you registered yet? There are some amazing door prizes too. Be sure to take a look and check out the contest we'll be having to help the wonderful authors who have donated for us.

This week's spotlight is Tamara Passey. She will be teaching FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS PUBLISH JUNK. Be sure to check out her website. Enjoy!

What's your favorite thing to write?

I enjoy writing the same kind of stories that I like to read—ones that grab my interest and won’t let me go until I finish. Even though I like to outline and plot my scenes before I write them, I still have moments where the story will take a turn I didn’t expect and it spurs me on see what my characters will do and what will happen.

What was the book first and latest book you've read?

A recent memorable work of fiction I read was Peace like a River (Leif Enger). It left me wondering where I’ve been all my life that I hadn’t found it sooner. A book I read on writing was Write Your Novel from the Middle (James Scott Bell). And at the top of my “I-can’t-wait-to-read” list is The Truth about Fragile Things (Regina Sirois).

If you could travel back in time to when you began your writing career, what would be the advice you would give yourself?

The short list of advice I’d give myself would have to include to start sooner at thinking of my writing as legitimate. And to not doubt myself. I don’t know that I would have listened-but that’s what I would have told my younger self. And probably to start my index-card file of observations, quotes, and story lines and ideas much sooner.  

What would you tell any writer at any stage in their writing?

You’re an artist. No matter what you write, your creativity can bless countless lives if you take the time to learn your craft. Stay curious, stay humble. And while you are pursuing your own dreams, remember to take an interest in—and even care about—the dreams of those around you. The finish line is a happier place when we help each other cross it.

Spotlight on Melanie Jacobson — #anwaconf16

Wow! 39 days until conference. There are still more door prizes being added. Be sure to check them out here, and make sure you're registered. This week's spotlight is Melanie Jacobson. She will be teaching PUSH HER OFF THE ROOF: ESCALATING THE STAKES and FIRST DRAFTING: THE ONE THING THAT WILL BOOST YOUR PRODUCTIVITY OVERNIGHT (AND A FEW OTHERS THAT HELP). They sound like amazing classes. Here's a list of all the other classes being offered. Make sure to stop by Melanie's website to see all the books she's written and some more fun facts about her. Enjoy this spotlight!

What made you decide to become a writer?

I grew up in a tradition of Southern storytellers and both of my grandmothers dabbled in poetry, so I think it's in my blood. I've loved stories for as long as I can remember. When we went through the heavenly talent line, some people got singing or dancing or drawing. I got words. So I try to use them.

What's your favorite thing to write?

I like escapist stories, a little on the light side. Definitely heavy doses of humor and healthy doses of heart.

What method do you use to write?

I used to be a total pantser, but I found I was ovewriting and having to cut so much out while I wandered around my manuscripts trying to find a story that I decided I need to learn to outline. Now I lay out a list of scenes on about 25-30 notecards, then write for about five minutes each day about what my scene is going to be, longhand in one of the million notebooks I have lying around. Then I tackle the scene on my laptop and it all comes to me pretty fast. I've gone from an average of 6 months to more like 4 months to finish a manuscript. 

What was the book first and latest book you've read?

I'm currently reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. But I'm rarely reading less than two books at once, so I'm also reading Morgan Matson's new summer book, a fun YA story. 

What is something you wish you would have known going into the writing world?

I wish I'd known that there was no way around suffering for your art if you want to tell the best stories you can. And for me the suffering is just the hard, hard work, not so much any emotional pain. But if I'd understood how hard I'd have to work to get the best writing out of myself, I'd have starting doing that hard work sooner. 

If you could travel back in time to when you began your writing career, what would be the advice you would give yourself? 

I'd say not to be in such a rush to get published. Spend the time getting good. 

What would you tell any writer at any stage in their writing?

If some part of you doesn't still love the work--even when it's hard--then walk away from it. If you're meant to be a writer, it will call you back when you're ready. But if you're only quitting because you feel like you don't have time for hard work in your life right now, and you still love storytelling, you will pay for that in unhappiness while you push down a side of yourself that needs to be honored. It's a hard balance, but whichever way gives you a greater sense of relief is the correct choice.